The Switchmate is a Bluetooth controller that fits over your light switch and lets you turn your lights on or off from your phone, but it's big, noisy, and doesn't do much else.

If embracing the smart home has a common first step, it's often remotely-controlled lights, but that can be an expensive, time-consuming, or technical upgrade. Wireless bulbs switch out for their dumb cousins, but equipping every lamp can get...